Eger Travel Information

The Basics

Time

Electricity

Language

Hungarian (Magyar) is the official language, but German is widely spoken, especially in the areas close to the Austrian border. English is spoken in tourist areas and most hotels.

Travel Health

No vaccinations are required for travel to Hungary and standards
of public health are good, but a hepatitis A vaccination is
recommended for all travellers. Tap water is safe to drink and food
poisoning is not considered a high risk, although visitors are
recommended to vaccinate against typhoid, unless on a short stay
and only eating at major hotels and restaurants. Travellers
intending on visiting forested, grassy, lakeside or rural areas in
spring and summer should consider a tick-borne encephalitis
vaccine. A reciprocal health agreement with countries of the EU
provides nationals with free emergency health care on presentation
of a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). All towns have
pharmacies, but anyone requiring specific medication should bring a
supply with them as most medicines are of Eastern European origin.
Make sure that if you are travelling with prescribed medications
you bring along a letter from your doctor stating your condition
and the prescribed medication to smooth your way through customs.
Health insurance is recommended.

Tipping

Taxi drivers and waiters expect a tip of 10 to 15 percent in
Hungary. Waiters should be handed the cash, rather than have it
left on the table. Most people in the service industry expect to be
tipped about 10 to 15 percent.

Safety Information

Most visits to Hungary are trouble-free, but normal precautions
against petty crime should be taken. Pick pocketing and bag
snatching is a risk on crowded public transport and other places
frequented by tourists. Minimise your chance of being targetted by
making use of hotel safes to store valuables and not displaying
conspicuous wealth. It is also always a good idea to carry copies
of important documents like your passport. Some bars, clubs and
restaurants in Budapest charge outrageous prices by means of scams
that target foreigners in particular. Be cautious of invitations
off the street to dine in certain establishments or of
recommendations by taxi drivers who are often in on the scam. Some
taxi drivers can also overcharge or take passengers on a circuitous
route. Any political demonstrations should be avoided, as they have
led to violence in the past.

Local Customs

Hungarians are generally open and friendly people who will
readily strike up conversation. Men and women greet each other by
shaking hands and close friends kiss each other lightly on each
cheek. Older men may bow to women and kiss them on the hand.

Business

A handshake is the standard form of greeting when doing business
in Hungary and in mixed company it is usually women who initiate.
Conservative suits and ties are standard business dress and
business people should be addressed by their title and surname.
Business cards are often exchanged; Hungarians usually list their
surnames first. It is useful to have a local representative when
doing business in Hungary who can set up meetings and act as an
interpreter. It is important to invest time on building
relationships; socialising is a key element of this and
face-to-face meetings are vital. Punctuality is vital to all
occasions, and cancelling a meeting at the last minute may be
detrimental to a business relationship. Due to the communist legacy
there is an aversion to risk and plenty of red tape and therefore
negotiations can be slow-moving and patience is required. Although
Hungary remains male-orientated, being female is not a disadvantage
to doing business. Business hours are usually from 8am to 4pm
Monday to Friday, though summer hours tend to be shorter.

Communications

The international access code for Hungary is +36. There are
often high surcharges on calls made from hotels; it is cheaper to
use public telephone boxes or calling cards. Local directory
assistance is available by dialling 198, and international
directory assistance is 199; callers may have to hold for a few
moments, but English-speaking operators are available. The local
mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements
with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in
larger towns.

Duty Free

Travellers to Hungary with goods purchased in the EU for
personal use do not have to pay customs duty on 3200 cigarettes, or
400 cigarillos, or 200 cigars, or 3kg of smoking tobacco; 10 litres
of spirits; 110 litres of beer; 20 litres of fortified wine, such
as sherry or port; and 90 litres of wine. Travellers arriving from
non-EU countries do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes,
or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g of smoking tobacco, or a
proportional mix of these. Alcohol allowances (for passengers over
17 years) include 1 litre of spirits and 2 litres of wine; perfume
up to 50g and 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods for personal
consumption to the value of €175 per adult or €90 for
children under 15 years. Prohibited items include fresh meat and
dairy products.

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